About 100 Manchester United fans from Meru County, along with community members, donated blood at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The Man-U fans donated blood on Saturday May 25, 2024 to help patients in need of blood across the country.
Chairperson of the Manchester United Fans Meru Chapter, Caroline Nkatha, mentioned that their group’s goal is to unite young people through sports to lessen crime.
“Manchester United Meru is a Community Based Organization, (CBO), our objective is to bring young people together through sports, engage them so as to help them escape social vices,” Caroline Nkatha remarked
“Today’s blood donation activity is the second event of the year the group has done, with the 1st event being that of group visiting one of the children’s home in Meru County where it too donated some goodies”, she added.
Nkatha mentioned that they organized the blood donation drive to support the blood banks that might be facing shortages due to the rising demand of blood.
She highlighted the importance of such blood donations as road accident survivors are often in need of blood transfusions.
“There has been increased number of accidents on our roads lately we wanted to help the patients who might lose blood in such cases, and not only accident victims but all those patients who need blood and donations is meant to save their lives,” highlighted Nkatha.
In addition, she called on other kind hearted individuals, not just Manchester United fans in Meru, to participate in the blood donation drive.
Anthony Muriuki, the organizing secretary, urged all Kenyans to join in and donate blood including fans of other teams like Chelsea and Arsenal.
Martin Mwirigi, the Laboratory manager at Meru Teaching Referral Hospital, commended the Manchester United fans for donating blood, mentioning that their actions will motivate others to do the same.
“We have had cases where people have excess blood and it is important that after every three or four months one has to donate blood at least a pint,” Mwirigi remarked.
Mwirigi also emphasized on the significance of donating blood, mentioning that the donated blood aids not only patients at the hospital where the donation took place but also patients in hospitals nationwide.